Forget the paper towel and rockwool------just place your seed one layer of rock down and run a constant drip-----you don't want to fool around with handling delicate sprouts.

I've never run drip but have started in a rainforest-----same principle. Smaller scale yes------but the principles are the same.

Yes, the roots will hand down into the nutes-------that's why I suggested airstones----once kept huge mothers in a 44 gallon rubbermaid trash can with just an airstone to oxygenate the solution. I use the ananogy of minnows in a bucket------what happens after a while?-----same with root health.

Keep your nute temp low (mid 70's)------I doubt if you'll need a heater.

Alaric